Yesterday we took our daughters to pick blueberries. To reach the fields we had to walk through the woods for about 500 feet. As we entered the trail my almost 4 year old said "I don't want to go into 'the forest', it's scary." The two year old echoed her big sister. Without skipping a beat my husband and I both started reassuring them. "There's nothing to worry about." "Mommy and Daddy are here to protect you." "We'll be through the woods in just a minute." Of course they settled down and we made it to the blueberry fields with no problem. But later it occurred to me that in our effort to comfort and reassure the girls, we were actually encouraging them to silence a very important instinct .... their gut instinct, their sixth sense, their own awareness of their surroundings.

You can't blame us really. We were raised the very same way, with our parents trying to comfort and protect us. They thought they were doing the right thing. But I know for me personally there's a big part of my own innate skill set that I disconnected with because of learning to filter like this, or to trust someone else instead of myself. I admit to spending a good part of my life feeling "clueless". But the clues were all around me, I had just been inadvertently taught to ignore them. And the irony of it all is that I had to go to "school" to reteach myself to hear and trust all of these clues. Feng Shui school, healing energy schools, a big part of all of these teachings for me was reconnecting with my own intuition skill set, with my own sixth sense. Heck, I'm still relearning the very skills I was born with! So it's not something I want to teach my kids to neglect or ignore anymore!

After much thought I know how I'd handle things differently next time. "The 'forest" seems scary to you? What is it that's scaring you? Let's slow down and take a look and a listen ... do you see anything to be really frightened of? (BEAR!) Do you hear anything that sounds frightening? (ROAR!)" I want to teach my girls to stop and pay attention in any situation where their natural radar goes up, and then make a decision whether to proceed. I want them to exercise these skills and above all to trust their gut. I want them to be aware and sensitive to their environment and the things in it. I don't want them to learn to take mommy or daddy's lead, or their friend's lead, or any random idiot's lead when their own protection and even comfort is in question!

So what does all of this have to do with feng shui? Feng Shui is really about using your senses, all of them, to assess your environment ... everything from basic safety to comfort. Once you are aware of the state of the environment you're in you can make positive changes to it where ever needed. So exercise your sixth sense whenever you can in relation to your own space, and encourage your kids to do it too ... Here are some ideas to play with:

1. When you enter any space take a moment to "check in" with it. How does it feel? Look? Smell? Sound? 2. Move through your space and see if different rooms feel different. See if you can identify the difference.3. Encourage your kids to do the above too ... make it a game for them. Their thoughts about a space might be very enlightening!

I'd love to hear any feedback you have as you "play" with this! Feel free to leave a comment in the section below. I read all the comments and respond as needed.

CONSULTATIONS:If you need a fresh perspective on your space or situation call me to arrange a consultation. The benefit of a second set of eyes is immeasurable. Several options available -- Call me to and we'll figure out which one is best for you! Available for homes and businesses ... in person or by phone. Click HERE for details.

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Author

Kerri is the founder of Feng Shui Pathways (formerly Holistic Living Resources). Using a combination of tools including Feng Shui, Aromatherapy, Coaching, Organizing and Space Clearing she works with clients to create spaces that are comfortable, functional, supportive and inspiring. Kerri offers workshops and is available for speaking engagements on the topic of Feng Shui.